Local briefs

Greater Pentecostal Temple will celebrate the 32nd church anniversary at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 3 p.m. March 17.

Guest speakers are Bishop Julian Jones of Mount Carmel Deliverance Center in Rincon on Friday night and Bishop Charles Wallace of Faith Deliverance Tabernacle in Savannah on March 17.

Call 784-6988 for more information.

Caring Neighbors training

Caring Neighbors, Inc will have a volunteer training at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Bluffton Library. This volunteer organization provides free services that support and enhance independent living and wellness for residents. Volunteers provide transportation, companionship and other various jobs that allow people to age at home.

For more information, call Betty Miller at 368-2096.

Adult ESOL literary classes begin Monday

The Jasper County School District Office of Federal Programs will begin offering an adult ESOL literacy class for interested parents beginning Monday. Parents will be required to take a 10-minute test once they turn in the application.

Once the application and test are complete, two-hour classes will be held at various locations. The classes will be from 9 - 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday at the parenting centers on the Ridgeland and Hardeeville campuses; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Jasper County Alternative School Building in Ridgeland and St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hardeeville; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Jasper County Alternative School Building in Ridgeland and St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hardeeville.

Applications for the class are available at all Jasper County School District schools and also online at www.jcsd.net.

Indigo Pines hosts spring events

Indigo Pines invites the public to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.

At 2:15 p.m. today, there will be a Pot of Gold bingo game. Sample home-made cuisine and try your luck.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, there will be a March of Dimes fundraiser. The yard sale will feature home-baked goods and more to benefit March of Dimes.

Each event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, or to learn more, please call Indigo Pines at 342-3228. Indigo Pines is located at 110 Gardner Drive.

'Music Leaders that Rock' to host local music ministers

Greater Pentecostal Temple invites the public to celebrate during the "Music Leaders that Rock" on at 5 p.m. today. This event will recognize and honor some the local music ministers.

Greater Pentecostal Temple is located at 5905 S. Okatie Highway. For more information, call 784-6988.

Jasper County School District public meetings

The Jasper County School District Board of Trustees will be conducting a series of special board meetings as part of the district's 2013-2014 budget process. The public is invited to attend.

There will be specific times during each of the work sessions in which members of the public can ask questions or offer input into the budget process.

The meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 10, and May 2 at the district office board room, 10942 Jacob Smart Boulevard.

Hilton Head Sail & Power Squadron to host safety boating courses

Safety Boating Course will be given by the Hilton Head Sail & Power Squadron from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 23 and March 30 at the Hilton Head Boathouse at 405 Squire Pope Road.

The course prepares students to skipper a boat safely and with confidence. It will cover boat handling, seamanship, equipment, navigation aids, radio use, and more. An optional on-the-water training activity is available.

For a full course description go to www.hhsps.org or contact Leslie Gilroy at 785-8876 or leslie_gilroy@yahoo.com.

Food distribution on March 16

Jasper County Hunger Free Zone will host a mass food distribution from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16 at the old Ridgeland High School.

Must present a valid S.C. ID and it is only available one per household. There will be free health and wellness information and screenings, but must visit at least three vendors to receive commodities.

For more information, call 717-1640.

Parent-staff talent show set for March 16

The Jasper County School District will hold its 1st annual Parent-Staff Talent Show at 6 p.m. March 16 at the Ridgeland-Hardeeville High School Gymnasium. For those parents of students within the district or current staff members who are interested in participating, a registration form is available at all schools and the Jasper County School District office.

There is a $10 registration fee to participate and the event is sponsored by the Fine Arts Committee and the Parent Advisory Group. Deadline for registration and payment is March 8. Forms can be turned in to the Public Information Office, located on the second floor of the district office.

Tickets for the event will be sold the night of the event and are $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 4 to 16. If you have any questions, please call 717-1170, 784-8600 or 717-1103.

Thomas Heyward to hold spring gala

The Thomas Heyward Academy Alumni Association, along with the PTA, will be hosting the annual Spring Gala from 7-11 p.m. today at the Jasper County Farmer's Market in Ridgeland.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. The Gala is open to the community ages 18 and older and will feature live entertainment by Joshua Foxx, light hors d'oeuvres, beer/wine, and a live a silent auction.

For tickets and more information, call 726-3673 or email at THArebels@gmail.com.

Fishing tournament this month

The Greater Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce will hold the first GHCC Fishing Tournament in March. The event will be a bass tournament at Millstone Landing.

Cost to enter is $125 per two-person team and deadline to enter is March 8.

For more information, call executive director Ava Comer at 784-3606.

Natural Resource Discovery Day today

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge invites the public to the Natural Resource Discovery Day from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. today.

Partnering with the Savannah Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation and University of Georgia -Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, this year's event will be loaded with fun, wildlife-related educational activities for all ages.

See how birds are banded, learn about wildland fire with hands-on activities involving real fire equipment and learn how to target shoot with a gun or bow and more.

For more information, call Monica Harris at 784-2468 or email monica_harris@fws.gov.

Catfish Festival meeting

Hardeeville Catfish Festival Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Millstone Landing.

The committe is encouraging everyone to get involved. The Catfish Festival Pageant is set for July 27.

Neighborhood watch meeting

The Levy Limehouse Bellinger Hill neighborhood watch meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, instead of the third Tuesday of every month at the Levy Community Center on Mitchell Court in Levy.

The Jasper County Sheriff attends each meeting and shares information about the area. There is a brief question-and-answer period.

Safety tips and fundraising ideas also are discussed as the group works to help those in need to ensure their homes are safely lit and protected.

All residents of Levy, including Toomerville, are invited. Contact Kathy Thomas at 368-0381 for more information.

Lions Club meeting

The Hardeeville Lions Club will have its meeting on the third Thursday of the month.

The meeting will be at noon at Cripple Crab in Hardeeville.

Send items for local briefs to Jessicah Peters at jessicah.peters@blufftontoday.com.